led, not fluent 6th, hit 9th, ridden 3 out, mistake and headed next, no extra from last
prominent, nudged along before 4 out, ridden and lost place before next, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in touch, mistake 10th, headway 14th, ridden to challenge 3 out, ran on from last
midfield, not fluent 11th, pushed along after 4 out, made no impression from next
chased leaders, losing place when not fluent 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, hit 7th, mistake 12th, outpaced briefly next, headway on outer 4 out, plugged on one pace from 2 out
Valtor has looked a shadow of his former self this season but, like course specialist Amalfi Doug, is starting to look well treated. Broken Quest has failed to build on a winning start over fences and Crixus's Escape may also need a confidence-booster. Francky Du Berlais is consistent but will have his stamina tested over this longer trip. The Wolf could figure eased in grade but we’ll give FORTESCUE the chance to show he handles this quicker surface after a convincing win last time at Sandown.
Valtor (FR) 11-1 (12-0) Midfield, reminder 4th, hit 10th, reminder 13th, ridden before 4 out, close up 3 out, weakening when stumbled and unseated rider 2 out, at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Crixus's Escape (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Led until 4th, prominent, lost place before 2 out, pulled up before last, at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
The Wolf (FR) 22-1 (10-5) Held up in rear on outside, not fluent 1st, tried to close from 3 out but couldn\'t, well beaten before 2 out, 10th of 16, 25 1/4l behind Vintage Clouds (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Fortescue 8-1 (11-5) Held up and off the pace, steady headway 18th2nd after 3 out, closer as leader blundered next, led last, came clear run-in, stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 3m hcp (3) sft in Mar beating Debece (11-7) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Broken Quest (IRE) 13-8 (12-1) Tracked winner, hit and fell 9th, at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Amalfi Doug (FR) 66-1 (10-8) Held up and behind, slightly hampered 7th, some headway after 10th (bechers), towards rear when blundered badly 5 out, tailed off, 13th of 18, dist behind Beau Bay (10-5) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Francky Du Berlais (FR) 6-1 (10-13) Held up in last pair, good headway approaching 8th chased leaders went 2nd 4 out, led between last 2, joined last, strongly pressed run-in, kept on gamely to assert final 100 yards, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Brianstorm (10-9) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
